Immigration Services
- Representation in court on all immigration matters
- Immigration forms
- PERM(Program Electronic Review Management)
- Petition for Family Member (Alien Relative)
- Green Cards
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Visa
- H1 Visa
- Visa Extension
- Employment Authorization
- Political Asylum
- Temporary Protected Status
- NACARA
- Deportation
Representation in Court:
Rafael A. Velez, Attorney at Law can represent you at the immigration court in Memphis, Tennessee. It is crucial to have legal representation when appearing before the court.
Rafael A. Velez can also represent clients at court in Louisville, Kentucky. Having a completely Bi-lingual attorney is crucial if you do not completely understand english. Rafael is fluent in spanish and english.
Immigration Forms:
Our immigration Law Office has the knowledge and expertise to fill out your forms properly. Filling out the proper form, doing so correctly to USCIS instructions, sending to the right agency and knowing how to follow up can mean the difference between success and failure. Immigration forms are a serious matter.
Forms are sent after being signed by Rafael and an accompaning G-28 notifying the service that an attorney is handling the petition / form.
Petition
for alien relative
Process whereby you make a request to USCIS for your relative who is not a lawful permanent resident or citizen to receive Immigration benefits.
If you are a citizen, you may petition for:
- your husband, wife or unmarried child under 21 years old.
- your unmarried son or daughter over 21, or married son or daughter of any age.
- your brother or sister if you are at least 21 years old.
- your parent if you are at least 21 years old.
**Marriages must not be for the purpose of circumventing Immigration Laws!!
If you are a lawful permanent resident, you may file this form for:
- your husband or wife.
- your unmarried child under 21 years of age.
- your unmarried son or daughter over 21 years of age.
What is PERM?
The Department of labor changed their old certification program to a new system,whereby they could review and manage the program electronically,the actual form is submitted and tracked online. In the most basic terms
it is certification by the Department of Labor that a legitamate
shortage of U.S. workers are available for a specific job position
in a specific geographical area opening the door for an employer
to petition for an alien to fill that position.
The petition for a visa is the second stage. This stage involves both USCIS and the Department of State.
The final stage is adjustment of status to Lawful Permanent Resident.
Following is a definition used by the U.S. Department of Labor:
"Hiring foreign workers for employment in the U.S. normally requires approval from several government agencies. Certain visa categories first require employers to seek labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Once the application is certified (approved), the employer must petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a visa. Approval by DOL does not guarantee a visa issuance. The Department of State (DOS) will issue a visa number to the foreign worker for U.S. entry. Applicants must also establish that they are admissible to the U.S. under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)." [U.S. Department of Labor definition]
What is naturalization?
"Naturalization is the process that confers United States citizenship upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Deciding to pursue the process to become a U.S. Citizen is a very important decision. If you were not born a U.S. Citizen the only way to become one is to be naturalized. When naturalized you agree to accept all responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. (give up all allegiances to other countries, support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States, swear allegiance to the United States, and serve the country when required)" [USCIS definition]
What is asylum?
"Asylum is a form of protection that allows individuals who are in the United States to remain here, provided that they meet the definition of a refugee and are not barred from either applying for or being granted asylum, and eventually to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident." [USCIS definition]
What is temporary protected
status?
"Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries (or parts thereof). In 1990, Congress established a procedure by which the Attorney General may provide TPS to aliens in the United States who are temporarily unable to return to their homeland because of ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions." [USCIS definition]